Apr 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (21) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Orioles placed closer Ryan Helsley on the family leave/bereavement list before Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
Helsley, who was the losing pitcher in Tuesday night’s game, is 0-2 with a 2.79 ERA and six saves in 11 games.
He was replaced on the roster by right-hander Jose Espada, who’s been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Espada was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and one save in eight games for the Tides.
Espada pitched three scoreless innings in one game for the Orioles last season. He also pitched for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
Helsley had pitched in consecutive games and wasn’t expected to be available on Wednesday.
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